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You've likely heard Ford tout its EcoBoost engline lineup more than its competitors have done for their lines of engines -- but it isn't all talk.

If it's been said once before, it's been said many times: Ford Motor Company(NYSE:F) has blown away the competition when it comes to marketing its lineup of EcoBoost engines. It's not as if rivals don't have similar technology: General Motors, for instance, has a very comparable lineup of Ecotec engines.

Not only does Ford talk the talk with its outmarketing of its EcoBoost engines, it walks the walk. Take, for instance, the latest trophy the engine lineup brought back home to Dearborn when it was recently named the 2016 International Engine of the Year in its size category.

Selection details

A panel of 65 automotive journalists from 31 countries critiqued and judged 33 competing engines before selecting Ford's three-cylinder 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine as the "Best Engine Under 1.0-litre." That award adds to the string of accomplishments for the engine, which was named "Best New Engine" in 2012, and then became the first to be named overall "International Engine of the Year" for a third consecutive time in 2014.

This year's win marks the engine's fifth consecutive win, and that comes despite an increase in competition. Since 2012, when the 1.0 EcoBoost hit the pavement, the number of engines competing for the award jumped by 19.

"The 1.0-litre EcoBoost was a game-changer, and despite others following our lead, it remains the undisputed benchmark in its class five years on," said Joe Bakaj, vice president of Product Development for Ford of Europe, in a press release. "The spirit of innovation continues to drive us as we look to use the same smart thinking for a new breed of efficient, clean and powerful down-sized diesel engines."

Not simply PR speak

The EcoBoost lineup isn't simply a marketing tool, although Ford uses it very well in its advertising, and it has a meaningful presence across its portfolio of vehicles. In Europe, 11 models -- the Fiesta, EcoSport, Tourneo, Transit connect, and Mondeo (Fusion), among others -- are available with the award-winning 1.0-liter engine.

But let's not forget that Ford also has a range of EcoBoost options, such as the 1.5-liter, 1.6-liter, 2.0-liter, and 2.3-liter four-cylinder engines as well as the 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter V6 engines. The engines help power anything from the smallest passenger car to the iconic Mustang -- and even Ford's all-new GT supercar, which will be racing in the Le Mans later in June.

The Mustang's EcoBoost will be key to selling in China. Image source: Ford Motor Company.

And mentioning that EcoBoost engines help power some of Ford's most popular products isn't just a PR line: Consider that more than 60% of F-150 customers are driving trucks off the dealership lot powered by an EcoBoost engine. In fact, Ford notes that nearly 1 million F-150 EcoBoost engines have been sold to date in the U.S.

Furthermore, the Mustang topped more than 100,000 units sold in the U.S. last year for the first time in nearly a decade. Much of that success was given to the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine option, the first time it was available for the Mustang, which was lauded for attracting the younger millennial generation. The EcoBoost has also been a favorite for Chinese consumers, which could be a critical market for the the Mustang, as it was only recently launched worldwide.

Ford has marketed and advertised its EcoBoost lineup better than its Detroit counterparts, but with the awards it continues to win and the sales statistics it continues to tally, the popular engine lineup can practically sell itself these days.

Daniel Miller owns shares of Ford and General Motors. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Ford. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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As a Motley Fool Industrial Specialist, I use my marketing and business background in the automotive industry to evaluate major automakers and other large industrial corporations. Follow me on twitter for tweets about stocks, cars, sports, and anything I find amusing.
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